Scout Notes

Martial and Barkley turn heads in final pre-season games

Fantasy Premier League managers got a final chance to look at Manchester United and Chelsea’s teams on Saturday.

There has been plenty of interest in the cheaper options available at both clubs and we are starting to get a clearer idea of which ones have the most potential.

We also saw budget out-of-position options secure their places in our thinking at Sheffield United, while Bournemouth and Norwich also concluded their pre-season schedules.

Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-2 Chelsea

Ross Barkley took another penalty for Chelsea on Saturday

Goals: Tammy Abraham (£7.0m), Ross Barkley (£6.0m)

Assists: Mateo Kovacic (£5.5m), Mason Mount (£6.0m)

Ross Barkley (£6.0m) provided further complication for Fantasy managers on Saturday as he scored another pre-season penalty for Chelsea.

The central midfielder, who has largely been deployed in the number 10 role, finished the summer campaign involved in more goals than any of his colleagues.

Barkley scored four times, twice from the penalty spot and assisted a further three goals.

It was a penalty that put him on the scoresheet on Saturday, won after a foul on Mason Mount (£6.0m).

It was Tammy Abraham (£7.0m) who took the first penalty Chelsea won against Mönchengladbach, but this was when Barkley was not on the pitch.

However, Jorginho (£5.0m) happened to be on the pitch for both of those penalties which all but confirms he will not be the taker this season.

Furthermore, as we mentioned last week, there seems to be a suggestion that Willian (£7.0m) might assume the penalty-taking duties when he returns from international leave.

The other complication with Barkley was the fact that he did not start this final match of pre-season.

While the England international has been involved in more goals this summer than any other player, 10 of his colleagues registered more minutes.

Among those options is former Derby County loanee Mount, who played 320 minutes compared to Barkley’s 278.

It was Mount who started the Mönchengladbach game ahead of Barkley, although they were both on the pitch for the final 20 minutes, with the former pushed out wide and winning that penalty.

Either way, Lampard probably has something of a selection headache this season picking between Barkley and Mount.

By all accounts, Barkley has upped his game over the summer but Mount has also impressed and played his way into Lampard’s thinking, having also worked with him at Derby last season.

“(Mason has) done a lot. Coming back here, obviously, I worked with him last year, and I’m really happy with how he’s trained and his status within the group. The players recognise quality instantly, but they also recognise the work rate and character. Mason’s got all of those and he’s given me a problem. Ross Barkley’s also had a good pre-season and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be back later on. It’s good because they’re all adaptable and can play in a variety of positions amongst themselves. I couldn’t ask for more from what Mason’s done.” – Frank Lampard

After starting the last two matches in a row, Abraham looks to have secured the number one striker slot at Chelsea.

In those two games, Michy Batshuayi (£7.0m) managed just 15 minutes while Olivier Giroud (£7.0m) got 23 minutes.

As previously mentioned, Pedro (£7.0m) is the most secure of a start on the flanks of attacking midfielder. Only Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m) got more pre-season minutes than him this summer (423 and 412 respectively).

That said, Barkley (seven), Mount (four), Abraham (three), Giroud (three), Batshuayi (three) and Pulisic (three) were all involved in more pre-season goals than the former Barcelona man (two).

“More or less (I know what my Gameweek 1 team will be). Again it’s a long week and I don’t want to say that because I think players have to train every day to get themselves in the team or get themselves out of the team. The door isn’t shut any way on that and we’ll need all the squad. We need players to be competitive and we need players who aren’t playing to come on like Giroud today and show a desire to come on and impact the game with work rate and desire to try and turn the result. That’s what we need throughout the season and I want to set that tone going into it.” – Frank Lampard

While there is plenty to be excited about when it comes to Chelsea’s attack, it must be said that their defence is yet to impress.

In three matches against Reading, Salzburg and Mönchengladbach the Blues conceded eight goals.

That might put Fantasy managers off looking to Kurt Zouma (£5.0m) initially, despite his kind pricing.

Marcos Alonso (£6.5m) is very much off-limits at this point. It was Emerson Palmieri (£5.5m) who started against Mönchengladbach and he outplayed the Spaniard during pre-season by 322 minutes to 218.

Things could still improve in the future for Chelsea’s defence as Antonio Rüdiger (£6.0m) continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.

More importantly, N’Golo Kanté (£5.0m), the protective shield for the back-four, has missed almost all of pre-season too.

He made his first appearance of the summer as a substitute in the 72nd minute against Mönchengladbach but is still considered a doubt for Gameweek 1 given Lampard’s concerns over his match fitness.

“That was always the plan (to bring him on). He’s working a little bit now and it was just to give him the feeling of match time as he hasn’t been able to do that yet as it’s an awkward injury. I just wanted him to feel it and us to see it as you cannot replicate it unless you do it. It was a good opportunity to do that for him and we’ll work hard on getting him fit. Who knows if he’ll be ready for next week or not, but we’ll work hard for that. We also have to be a bit careful as he’s played so many games over the past three seasons and we don’t want to rush him back if it’s going to be negative. We’ll do our best to get him back.” – Frank Lampard

Chelsea XI: Kepa; Emerson (Alonso 67’), Christensen, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Kovacic (Kenedy 67’), Jorginho; Pulisic (Barkley 67’), Mount, Pedro (Kanté 72’); Abraham (Giroud 67’).

AC Milan 2-2 Manchester United

Marcus Rashford (right) and Anthony Martial have both looked good in pre-season

Goals: Marcus Rashford (£8.5m), Jesse Lingard (£6.5m)

Assists: Nemanja Matic (£5.0m), Anthony Martial (£7.5m)

Anthony Martial (£7.5m) looks set for a start in Manchester United’s attack for the Gameweek 1 visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford.

The Frenchman has enjoyed a successful pre-season campaign under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer over the last few weeks and added an assist as the Red Devils beat AC Milan on penalties in Cardiff.

No Manchester United player has registered more minutes than Martial this summer (339), with a number of his appearances coming as a centre-forward.

Against AC Milan, he was deployed alongside Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) in a front-two, the latter scoring his third goal of pre-season.

Ahead of that visit of Chelsea, who come to Old Trafford with some defensive issues, both Rashford and Martial have been involved in three pre-season goals each.

How they line up against the Blues is not completely certain. While both players are likely to start, it is not certain whether Solskjaer will go with a front three or front two. A forward trio would probably see Martial on the flanks and Rashford through the middle.

Meanwhile, Mason Greenwood (£4.5m) failed to get another start against AC Milan and he has not played more than 45 minutes per appearance all summer. In total, he managed just 201 minutes, compared to Juan Mata (£6.5m) recording 257, Jesse Lingard (£6.5m) 283, Daniel James (£6.0m) 283, and Martial and Rashford both getting 339 each.

That might make Greenwood a less than reliable budget forward option and the wealth of interest in him from the start of the campaign could trigger price falls if he is not used extensively.

However, Solskjaer did sing the youngster’s praises after the most recent match and insisted he’d have a part to play this season. In fact, he even hinted he could start against Chelsea.

“He’s got a chance of starting that one. He’s more than capable and will always be there, in and around the box, creating chances. And I won’t say it’s not a possibility, no, it’s a good possibility. If he keeps going as he does. It’s difficult to keep players out who perform well. He can play all four front positions, he can play 10, seven, 11, nine, he’s a natural footballer. With his left foot coming in, he can play anywhere along the frontline.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Midfielder Paul Pogba (£8.5m) missed the match with a back problem. Solskjaer seems optimistic about his chances of starting the season.

“Paul will probably be back early next week in training. It’s not an injury, just some pain. He’s not injured but I wasn’t going to risk anything this weekend. He should be okay [for Chelsea]. I would hope so, anyway. I wasn’t expecting Paul [at the airport]. I spoke to him after training and he didn’t feel right.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United XI (4-3-1-2): De Gea; Shaw, Rojo (Tuanzebe 64’), Lindelöf, Wan-Bissaka (Young 64’); McTominay, Matic (Fred 64’), A Pereira (Lingard 64’); Mata (James 64’); Martial (Greenwood 82’), Rashford (A Gomes 82’).

Stade de Reims 3-1 Sheffield United

Callum Robinson looks to have serious potential as an out-of-position asset

Goals: Callum Robinson (£5.5m)

Assists: Enda Stevens (£5.0m)

John Lundstram (£4.0m) set himself up as a viable budget defender by starting the final match of Sheffield’s United’s pre-season campaign.

The FPL defender started in the central midfield trio for a fourth successive match and remains the most-used option there this summer.

Oliver Norwood (£5.0m) and John Fleck (£5.0m) were the other two members of this combination, with Luke Freeman (£5.5m) and Ben Osborn (£5.0m) among the substitutes again.

At this point, we can be fairly confident that Lundstram will start against Bournemouth, although whether he can hold on to a clean sheet is another matter.

For the second match in a row, Freeman replaced Lundstram in midfield around the hour-mark.

That could be a recurring tactical substitution we see this campaign, Lundstram more of a defensive-minded midfield player, although he did get three assists in pre-season, Freeman the more attacking one (two goals, three assists this summer).

If that were to be a regular set-up for Chris Wilder this season, maybe Lundstram’s clean sheet chances will be boosted? If Sheffield United have been able to keep things tight in the first hour, Lundstram could end up banking clean sheets before the more attacking Freeman takes to the field.

Meanwhile, another out-of-position asset at Sheffield United continues to offer some appeal to Fantasy managers.

Callum Robinson (£5.5m) was on the scoresheet for the Blades again on Saturday, taking his pre-season tally to four goals and one assist, more than any of his colleagues.

For the third match in a row, he was deployed in the front two of Wilder’s 3-5-2 system and looks to have a good chance of starting in Gameweek 1.

However, some doubt still hangs over the Sheffield United forward line following the recent record signing of centre-forward Oli McBurnie (£6.0m).

The former Swansea City man has featured as a second-half substitute in each of the Blades last two matches.

Meanwhile, David McGoldrick (£5.5m) has the most pre-season minutes of any Sheffield United forward (309), with Billy Sharp (£6.0m) just behind him on 272.

Dean Henderson (£4.5m) is already very locked in as the starting goalkeeper having been the favourite there last season and playing 90 minutes in each match since returning on loan from Manchester United.

Enda Stevens (£5.0m) and George Baldock (£4.5m) look confirmed as the wing-backs again, while Chris Basham (£4.5m) and John Egan (£4.5m) have been used the bost at centre-back.

However, key player from last season Jack O’Connell (£4.5m) has not featured in any of the last three pre-season matches in that centre-back trio.

He has been struggling with a pre-season injury but Wilder is optimistic he can start Gameweek 1.

“Jack’s okay. He’s fine, we just didn’t think it was worth the risk. He’s working back at our place, he should be available for the big one coming up and then going forward from there. We’re not worried about him. Like I say, we just felt doing it this way was for the best.” – Chris Wilder

Sheffield United XI: Henderson; Bryan (Osborn 46’), Egan, Basham; Stevens (Jagielka 76’), Fleck, Norwood (Morrison 76’), Lundstram (L Freeman 65’), Baldock (K Freeman 76’); McGoldrick (McBurnie 46’), Robinson (Sharp 65’).

Bournemouth 3-0 Lyon

Callum Wilson has been Bournemouth’s most dangerous player in pre-season

Goals: Callum Wilson (£8.0m), Gavin Kilkenny, Joshua King (£6.5m)

Assists: Nnamdi Ofoborh, Wilson x2

Bournemouth’s pre-season campaign has come to an end with virtually no clarification over who will be the first-choice goalkeeper in Gameweek 1.

In total, Eddie Howe used four different shot-stoppers across six games, with none of them featuring for 90 minutes more than once.

Top of the pile were Mark Travers (£4.5m) and Aaron Ramsdale (£4.5m) on 180 minutes each, while Asmir Begovic (£4.5m) and Artur Boruc (£4.5m) both played 90 minutes apiece (two 45-minute outings each).

One of Travers or Ramsdale seems likely to be number one but the gap of just 90 minutes between that pair and the other two is hardly a big one.

Predicting Bournemouth’s back-four will also prove difficult as Howe spent most of pre-season splitting his firs-team across two matches.

Against Lyon, there were 90-minute outings for Diego Rico (£4.0m) and Nathan Aké (£5.0m) but Chris Mepham (£4.5m), Jack Stacey (£4.5m) and Jack Simpson (£4.5m) were all involved the day before.

The left-back slot is one Fantasy managers are most interested in given Rico’s price point but it is hard to guarantee him a Gameweek 1 start.

Aké, Mepham, Stacey and Rico all tied for most minutes among Bournemouth defenders, but Adam Smith (£4.5m), capable of playing on the left, was not far behind on 255.

Furthermore, even though Lloyd Kelly (£4.5m) is out injured, there is still competition from Charlie Daniels (£4.5m) who returned from injury on Friday night.

As for predicting who will start at centre-back, Steve Cook (£4.5m) was back from injury against Lyon, playing 67 minutes.

Further up the pitch, Callum Wilson (£8.0m) finished pre-season in exceptional form, involved in all three goals scored against Lyon, scoring the first and assisting the other two.

After the six summer friendlies, the forward was top for attacking returns (five), Jordon Ibe (£5.0m) in second place on four.

Josh King (£6.5m) got his first goal of the summer against Lyon highlighting that he might not be in the sort of shape or form to cover Wilson at the start of the campaign.

As for Ryan Fraser (£7.5m), his involvement against Lazio on Friday night was why he didn’t play against Lyon.

Howe’s splitting of squads across pre-season means that Fraser and Wilson have played together for just 90 minutes together this summer. Whether that has an impact on their partnership at the start of the campaign remains to be seen.

Bournemouth XI: Ramsdale (Boruc 45’); Rico, Aké, S Cook (Dobre 67’), A Smith (Zemura 75’); Danjuma, Ofoborh, Billing (Jordan 60’), Kilkenny; Wilson (Surridge 75’), King (Sherring 86’).

Norwich City 1-0 Toulouse

Norwich won their final pre-season game against Toulouse

Goals: Kenny McLean (£5.0m)

Assists: Emi Buendía (£6.0m)

Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) and Emi Buendía (£6.0m) are very much back in with a chance of starting Norwich’s trip to Liverpool on Friday night.

They had injury problems earlier in pre-season but have now started the last two matches in a row.

Buendía got himself an assist for the only goal of the game as Kenny McLean (£5.0m) converted his corner.

Also of note for Fantasy managers was another start for Grant Hanley (£4.0m) who has recovered from a groin problem.

He finished the pre-season campaign as the most-used centre-back for Norwich (474 minutes), as Timm Klose (£4.5m) and Christoph Zimmermann (£4.5m) both missed the Toulouse game with injuries.

Norwich City XI: Krul (Fahrmann 46’); Lewis (Heise 86’), Godfrey, Hanley (c), Aarons (Byram 86’); Trybull (Leitner 61’), McLean (Vrancic 61’); Cantwell (O Hernández 61’), Stiepermann (Roberts 72′), Buendía (Srbeny 72′); Pukki (Drmic 65’).

1,994 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Sparkys Barmy Army
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A. Martial - Greenwood
    B. Dendoncker - Haller
    C. Other??

    1. PeteMorr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Close, my preference is A

  2. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Help please lads

    A) Kepa and KWP
    B) Pope and Luiz (or any other 6m defender)

    Have TAA and Digne

    1. PeteMorr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tough, I like B with Heaton

  3. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this team?

    DDG (4.0)
    Coleman - VVD - Wan.B (Lundstorm, Kelly)
    Salah - Sterling - Richarlison - Perez (Stephens)
    Jota - Rashford - J. King

    Incredibly weak bench though.

    1. PeteMorr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nice! Though would be a little worried about double United defence personally

    2. Gally11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I would downgrade DDG to a 4.5 and reinvest million. I think you could upgrade Coleman to Digne or even VVD to TAA. Kelly to Diop would be a good move, especially now that they signed Cahill he isn't assured the minutes. Could also use .5 to improve a striker.

      I think the base of your squad (midfield/high end defence) is outstanding.

    3. Blade Gunnar
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe Lloris is better than DDG but my personal recommendation would be Nick Pope if you want bang for buck.
      Not yet ready to invest in United def myself so I'd suggest replacing AWB with someone like Lereira (LEI) or Digne or even Walker (MCI). Love Lundstram/Kelly pair-up, I've got them too but my only concern is their value is going to drop very easily.
      My mid is the same as yours too, except I have Fraser in place of Richy.
      That fwd line is fabulous!

  4. dshv
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rate my team to 10, please. And tell me where to change.

    Heaton

    Vvd - robbo - walker - Awb

    Salah - sterling - siggy - perez

    Wilson - jota

    Please help and thanks.

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Very good overall. I'd rather Coleman over AWB personally. But other than that good.

      1. dshv
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Done that.

        What about siggy? Switch to richarlison or fraser?

    2. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed with above. Prefer coleman to AWB.
      9/10
      Are all your subs absolute budget players?

      1. FP Elephant
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yes, good point by the Shark about your subs, which you didn't list. Ideally you have at least two who actually start consistently to at least get you 2 points off the bench in case of injury to your starting XI.

      2. dshv
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        My subs sir is button, dendo, rico and greenwood

    3. FP Elephant
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Very good team! Hard to say out of 10, but maybe an 8 (and there's no such thing as a 10 this early).

      I think you can justify all of your picks well, but a few where you could consider alternatives... AWB (his same-priced ManU teammates might have more attacking potential), Siggy (not as much the focal point now with attacking defenders, Richarlison, new arrival Kean), and is Heaton the best 4.5 GK to go with (Villa did not have a great defensive record last season). But those three are all proven quality players, so if you like them go with it. Rest of the team looks tip-top.

      1. dshv
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks gentlemen!

        And you are right this is what i think, okay i already swtiched AWB to Coleman, because yes united is united and with maguire at back will be more safe but fixtures of everton still better.. siggy he is on pens he is cornea and free kicks thats why him.

        Heaton - villa have good game weeks and to be honest 4.5 keeper never can be dissapointed 🙂

        1. FP Elephant
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Fair points. I like Siggy, but be careful there. At Swansea he did everything, but Digne is eating into his corners/free kicks and pens are only a maybe (he missed a few last season so Silva could be looking elsewhere). Going to wait and see with Everton's attack.

          1. dshv
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            So i am not at the right way to start with him? Who else i can choose now ?

  5. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Yarmolenko or Trossard?

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tross probably, lots of competition in the West Ham midfield ranks. Barkley and Mount would be my picks at that price if I was sure which one would be more regular, I'm pretty sure it will be Barkely to start with but for how long is the question.

  6. Penzardlife
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Tempted to go for just Kane up top and two 4.5 strikers which gives me a midfield of

    Salah-KDB-Fraser-Perez-Moura

    Which seems pretty decent. Ultimately though the flexibility of a 6.5 striker will keep me on King.

    1. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think the flexibility in strikers could be pivotal. I like that most of your midfield are actually strikers, but have one of your strikers as an actual striker or you risk missing out on whichever striker starts the season well.

      You could also swap Kane for wilson and upgrade your second striker that way

  7. Kristobal
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on Keane? Replace anyone from my front three of Jota, Wilson or Haller?

    1. Kristobal
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kean I mean.

      1. Sparkys Barmy Army
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I'd hold off for now, no guarantee that he'll start first game of the season.

        1. FP Elephant
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Agree with Sparky. I think Kean (and definitely Haller) could be great options this year. But I'm going to set up my team with flexibility to bring them in after a game or two. Nice early season fixtures for both clubs (after West Ham's opener against City... which hopefully Haller will score a brace in since I'm a Hammers fan!).

          You have a very solid front three as it is. There will be intense competition in the 6.5 to 7.5 striker braket this year with Kean, Haller, Jota, Chelsea starters, and maybe even Burnley if they start off hot. Lots to choose from in there and after a few weeks the picture should be more settled. I hope to have a community article out on this very topic later this week.

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm going to start with Wilson and Haller, but keep an eye on Kean. He'll be an easy downgrade from Wilson if he starts well.

  8. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT
    Any comments appreciated

    Ederson (Button)

    AWB VVD Robinson Digne (Lundstram)

    Perez Salah Sterling Robinson (Hayden)

    Wilson Haller (Greenwood)

    1. tyron
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      a lot of punts in there. u confident about robinson?

      1. Eastman
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No not really lol. Good to have a second opinion.

  9. Penzardlife
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sterling + Cathcart + Dunk

    Or

    KDB + VVD + 4.0

    Got Robbo already.

    1. tyron
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      got to be A bro

  10. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any Norwich fans in the house? Have Norwich been playing 3 at the back? Do you expect Grant Hanley to play now as he is the club captain or will he be a bit part player?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      it's a back 4 I think

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Gutted!

  11. Erdogan
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What’s the feel about this 4-5-1?

    Heaton, 4.0
    Robbo, TAA, Walker, Digne, 4.0
    Salah,Sterling,Perez,Moura,Barkley
    Wilson, 4.5, 4.5.

    Any suggestions? Is Walker a rotation risk?
    Bench obviously pretty week. But never been a fan of too much money in bench. Mora early transfer doesn’t worry me too much. Still think he’s good pick for first few games.

    1. tyron
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      would downgrade walker maybe to a 4.5 and upgrade a 4.5 to a striker maybe king seeing that u have no fraser

      1. Erdogan
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, but have Wilson.

  12. tyron
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    rmt please guys
    Heaton (button)
    digne trent vvd holebas (kelly)
    salah sterling perez moura (den)
    wilson king (greenwood)

    Moura can become fraser and king become another 6.5.

    1.0 itb.
    any recommendations?

  13. Mike B
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT Please (3-5-2)
    Heaton Button
    A Arnold, Digne, Laporte (Dunk, Lundstrom)
    Sterling, Salah, Barkley, Perez, Siggy
    Adams, Wilson (Nkeitah)

  14. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is this Haller actually justifying all the hype?

    1. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

      No foreign player is until they have proven it in the PL

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This is what I thought. However, everybody is talking about him as though he is practically essential. I could downgrade TAA to VVD and Trossard to a £5.5m midfielder to get him but I am not sure he is worth it at this stage...... Fixtures are great though.

        1. Bagheri Arce
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not for me.

          Can't underestimate solid well seasoned PL pros. If Haller does well then easy to get him in at that price

          Out of interest if you were trying to squeeze 0.5m out of your team how do you feel about the TAA to VVD? I'm in the same boat but nervous about how explosive TAA could be

          1. The Big Fella
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Same as you - I don't want to. TAA wasn't even regularly playing from the start of last season and still did mint come the end of the season. VVD is an amazing player and will also do very well but that assist potential from Robertson and TAA swing it for me.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Steer well clear until he proves himself imo

      Way better to be a few games late than one or two (or more) games early with these fancy continental imports imo - unless you’re absolutely convinced, in which case, fill your boots 🙂

      Many better players than Haller have failed to hit the ground running - there is no shame in it, it’s a tough league

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah I agree with this completely I was just seeing if I was missing something

  15. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT out of 10:
    Ryan
    VVD,Robbo,Zinchenko,Coleman
    Salah,Sterling,Perez,Robinson
    Auba,King

    Button,Dendoncker,Greenwood,Lundstram

    Cheers

    1. harry brock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      7, could have stronger mids than robinson

  16. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who’s the two most nailed £4m defenders?

    1. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kelly and Rico maybe

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Apparently Rico only nailed for the first week or two

        1. Bagheri Arce
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah...I should have qualified that I don't think he's nailed at all. Just in with a shout.

          Kelly looks solid for a run of games though

          1. The Big Fella
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            It is Kelly I want out - Cahill is going to Palace so Kelly no longer going to start

            1. Bagheri Arce
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Ah cool. Didn't know that

              Can Kelly not play RB or will than be Ward?

              1. The Big Fella
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                He can do but I think it is Ward if you look at the minutes they have played. Defence has looked dodge in pre-season judging from results (not actually watched them).

  17. Bagheri Arce
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Ibe and option at Bournemouth with Brooks out? I see Stanislas has 0 pre season mins and I've has 4 goal involvements.....

    Great price

  18. Bagheri Arce
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    *Ibe

    I've no preseason mins or goals unfortunately 🙂

  19. harry brock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on team?

    Heaton (Button)
    Van Dijk, Digne, Zinchenko, Duffy, (Kelly)
    Salah, De Bruyne, Perez, Richarlison, (Dendoncker)
    Kane, Wilson, (Greenwood)

  20. chigumbura111
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT

    ryan
    vvd, zinchenko, coleman, wan bissaka
    salah sterling fraser barkley
    kane jota

    bench: button greenwood rico dendoncker

  21. ruerac
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    advise please

    current squad

    heaton,kepa

    macquire,robertson vvd,zinchenko,digne

    barkely,salah,sterling,perez,dendoncker,

    jota with 11.5 to spare

    is this bad ? who do i go for as forwards with 11.5 to spare ?

  22. ruerac
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    latest changes to my squad

    heaton,kepa

    macquire,robertson,vvd,zinchenko,digne

    barkely,salah sterling,perez,dendoncker

    jota, wesley,pukki

    advise pls

    1. kongolord
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Personally, I would stay away from newly promoted strikers.

  23. ruerac
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    inputs pls

    ederson

    walker,vvd.digne,barkely,salah,sterling,pulisic
    king,adams,deeney

  24. twilliams687
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any comments welcome on the following team:

    Ryan
    Robbo, Digne, KWP, VVD
    Salah, Fraser, Perez, Sterling
    Wilson, Kean

    Button, Dendo, Guilbert, Greenwood

    Kean is the main sticking point for me...

    1. twilliams687
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm thinking Rashford & Barkley instead of Kean & Fraser potentially...

  25. jovanjovan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What do you think?

    Ryan
    Ake, Digne, Zinchenko, Holebas
    Fraser, Salah, Sterling, Perez, Moura
    Kane

    1. Turmoil
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Similar to mine gone against having 3 big hitters though spread mine out a bit

  26. fantasyfog
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    moura or perez to start?

    most likely becomes son gw3

    1. Turmoil
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Perez I'd say

      1. Society
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Long term Perez, Moura if you're happy to trade.
        Perez looks a much more likely starter than Moura every week.

        eg - I've got Sterling in for gameweek 1.
        He's my enabler.
        Others choose a 4.0 non playing def as their enabler, while I'm choosing Sterling as my enabler.
        We'll see what happens ..... if I have to, I'll be able to afford anyone but Salah ..... while they'll have to make two trades.

        Pretty handy enabler (being one of the game's points per match for two seasons & able to trade for almost anyone).

  27. Turmoil
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Final draft
    Pope/Heaton
    VVD,Holebas,Ake,Digne/Dunk
    Fraser,Salah,Sterling,Lamela/Barkley
    Duelofeu,Wood/Abraham
    Any thoughts ?

  28. Gorky
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    For draft league what order would you put Richarlison, Barkley, Martial?

    I'm leaning towards
    1) Martial
    2) Barkley
    3) Richarlison

    Also what order for Kean, Abraham, Deeney?

    1. mufc123
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Martial
      Barkley
      Rich
      for me

      same order for the strikers

  29. mufc123
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Please RMT. Any feedback would be helpful or is this team good to go?

    Heaton/4.0 goalkeeper
    Maguire / TAA / Zinch / (Rico) / (Lunsdram)
    Sterling / Salah / Martial / Perez / (Dendoncker)
    King / Firminio / Jota

  30. mufc123
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Dybala going to spurs what do we think the fantasy price will be and anyone going to go for him?